John F. Kennedy Speeches

Remarks of Senator John F. Kennedy at 15th and Broadway, East St. Louis, Illinois, October 3, 1960

This is a transcript of this speech made for the convenience of readers and researchers. A single text of the speech exists in the Senate Speech file of the John F. Kennedy Pre-Presidential Papers at the John F. Kennedy Library.

Thank you. Here is Paul Douglas, a great Democrat, and here is the next United States Senator and the present Senator. And Otto Kerner, the candidate for Governor on the Democratic Ticket, and your own Mel Price, the candidate who will be elected. I am a candidate for the office of the Presidency, and the Presidency is a key office. If the people's interest is going to be protected, the President of the United States must stand for that protection. It is the President of the United States that can set the goals for the country in housing, minimum wage, social security, unemployment compensation, and in equality of rights for all Americans, regardless of their race or color. I stand in direct succession to Truman and Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, who advanced the right of all Americans to participate equally in our society. I can assure you that if I am successful of this occasion, the same spirit will move us, the same spirit forward. We ask your help in this campaign. (Applause)